Mazzola’s animals relocated (with video)

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP — The area around 9978 North Marks Road will never be the same because the wild animals that belonged to the late Sam Mazzola, who died on July 10, are no longer there.

Mazzola’s collection of exotic animals such as lions, bears, and tigers are well-known throughout the area because he often invited neighbors to see them.

Since his death, three bears were relocated to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colo.

Pat Craig, the executive director of the animal sanctuary, said that a woman who said that she was Mazzola’s girlfriend called his sanctuary and told them that they were looking for a place for his bears. The sanctuary is one of only two in the country to take in bears...see video

Sam Mazzola's death surrounded in even more controversy than his life

New details emerging in the investigation in to Sam Mazzola's and the animals left behind…see video

Sam Mazzola was found handcuffed to bed, coroner says

Controversial exotic animal owner Sam Mazzola, who was found dead Sunday at his North Marks Road compound, died of asphyxia due to an airway obstruction, Deputy Lorain County Coroner Frank Miller said Monday...more

Future of Exotic Animal Farm Unknown after Death of Owner

But some residents in the northwest section of town are hoping the death of their owner, Sam Mazzola, will mean the animals will move on. "I'm sorry to hear the owner has died, but I hope to stop worrying about my kids being mauled by a wandering lion...more

Bear-Owner Mazzola Found Deceased

Mazzola had been criticized for staging wrestling exhibits between bears and humans for a number of years. Eventually his license to exhibit animals was revoked by the USDA, but he was allowed to continue keeping animals...more

Sheriff: Bear Owner Sam Mazzola Found Dead

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office confirms that Sam Mazzola, the exotic animal owner whose bear fatally mauled a caretaker last year, was found dead in his home Sunday afternoon...see video

Mazzola found dead at Columbia Township home

Controversial exotic animal owner Sam Mazzola was found dead in bed this morning by an employee...more

Unadoptable dogs to be euthanized through lethal injection

ELYRIA — Lorain County commissioners Ted Kalo and Lori Kokoski voted yesterday to eliminate the use of a gas chamber at the Lorain County Dog Kennel and will instead euthanize unadoptable dogs by lethal injection, which animal activists said is more humane…

…Commissioners also approved a plan to spay and neuter the animals before they are adopted, which will decrease the general pet population and traffic into the kennel. Currently, individuals who adopt the dogs are given a voucher to take the animal to an approved veterinarian, however, only roughly 20 percent of those are redeemed, according to Kokoski…more